She's Not Sick Anymore

Monday, March 30, 2009

This is my dear sweet friend, Bryna.  We met almost 12 years ago at Remuda Ranch, while we were both there at the adolescent treatment center for anorexia and bulimia.  For more than two months, we lived together (yes, we were roomies!), ate together, cried together, laughed together.  We were even fellow "tubies" so we made sure to tell each other every day that the other was beautiful.  We battled our innermost demons together and cheered each other on to recovery.  We've kept in touch through the years, thanks in large part to Facebook.  While I got better in my recovery, she never could seem to completely break free from the habits of ED.  On Friday, she lost her battle with ED.  Bryna had a heart attack (due to the eating disorder) just two months shy of her 29th birthday.  I am saddened at her passing-- she was the sweetest, most gentle-spirited person I have known.  She loved her family, her animals, and she loved to travel.  She always wanted to be a flight attendant.  :-)


I struggle with the question of why did I get better and she didn't?  While I don't have an answer for this, I am all the more grateful for the hope and healing that Christ has done in my life.  

The last status update on Bryna's Facebook says "Bryna is glad to not be sick anymore."  That was the update she had on Monday last week... just days before she died.  Though I am sure she was talking about overcoming a cold, one thing in that statement rings true... God is not surprised.  The Great Physician has healed her now, once and for all.  Though her struggles on earth were great, she fought as hard as she could to be healthy.  And while I am sad that her life was so tragically and abruptly ended, one truth remains: She's not sick anymore.  And there is much rejoicing in that.  I miss you, Bryna. 



Bryna is in this video at the following times:
1:54- in the red shirt behind me
2:26- in the overalls


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Christ follower. Wife. Mother. Friend. Quilter. Crafter. Writer. Wannabe break dancer.

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4 Lovely Words

  1. Melissa30 March, 2009 15:37

    Oh Shey...I am so sorry for the loss of your friend, but I am rejoicing with you that she is no longer sick and is now at home with the God who so expertly made her.

    Your video puts tears in my eyes every time I see it. I am so glad that you have been able to find peace, health and healing.

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  2. God, My Savior Forever!30 March, 2009 19:59

    Wow...First I want to thank you for sharing that we me and others in your life. The video totally touiched my heart. I've seen plenty of movies about ED and my younger sis even started to loose weight and showed symptoms but God revealed it to us at a very early stage and she was able to pull through. You are the first person in my life though that has dealth with severe ED and has pulled through. You are a living miracle my friend. You brought tears to my eyes when you shared it at the retreat....let me tell you..that courage, God has been molding you to be His warrior! Thank you for sharing a not so happy time in your life to bring hope and to see God's power!

    I just lost my Papa Jan 20. It's been the closest person that I've lost so far and one of the most special and important to me. He was a father to me. I took care of him along with my mom, cousin and grandma his last 2 wks. It broke my heart because the main cause of his lack of health was the fact that he had arthritis on his jaw and couldn't eat. He wanted to eat but had so much pain and felt too weak to chew so he would just give up. We gave anything he asked for, sometimes, all he had in his stomach were 2 tablespoons of water. It was so hard for me to eat these big, tasty meals and seeing him from the table soooo weak, so thin, like a skeleton. One day he even told my grandma to make him one of his favs a steak. My grandma knew he couldn't eat but she made it anyways...my grandfather just wanted to smell it. He lost over 50 lbs in two months it was so sad. It's so hard because he always loved to eat..most of my pics of him are of him eating. He developed pneumonia in one long right before he passed but what got him there was his malnutrition. I guess I can understand what you went through a little in the sence that I saw my grandfather's physical battle.

    THANK YOU sooo much for sharing Bryna's story. I know that it was hard to even type this blog for you because I've been trying to start a memory of my grandfather and it's so hard so remember that he's not here anymore, he's not just a phone call away and I miss him sooo much. It still seems like a bad dream at times. BUT he is not sick anymore like Bryna...he is totally healded. He is whole, and he is eating the his big delicious steak up in heaven! I am looking forward to seeing him one day in heaven. To laugh together again and share our inside joke, to sing together, I'll even get to lay next to him like I always did and we will share a nice big meal!
    The Lord has reminded me today through you that my grandfather is not sick anymore!!!! He is alive and well!!! God bless you and continue to use you...you have a ministry!

    Love,
    Susan

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  3. fowler31 March, 2009 02:51

    I'm so sorry for the loss of your friend. The video is amazing-- I cried the entire way through-- mainly for happiness because I know the recovery you are talking about. It brought back so many memories, but mostly thankfulness for the healing. I also deal with the "why me?" thoughts as to why did I recover and others didn't or haven't yet.

    Thank you.

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  4. Blair01 April, 2009 23:48

    I'm really sorry to hear of the loss of your dear friend. I think your video is a great and uplifting.

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